Jordan Raskopoulos honoured to be in TV ad about lamb

The ad features two gay dads and comedian Jordan Raskopoulos.

COMEDIAN Jordan Raskopoulos feels honoured to have been involved in representing the LGBTI community in a new advertisement for lamb, celebrating Australia’s diversity.

Meat & Livestock Australia released the new advertisement which promotes lamb as the “meat that does not discriminate” and includes a range of different Australians enjoying the meat.

The ad opens with presenter Luke Jacobz saying he wanted to “address concerns that too many perky white males are contributing to a lack of diversity on our our screens”. Jacobz then morphs into the Australian-Indian actor Arka Das, who walks past a range of Australians from different backgrounds, sexualities and genders. to highlight the country’s diversity.

He walks past two men with a baby and calls out “hey dads”, but the two men quickly shush him so that he does not wake the sleeping baby.

Raskopoulos told Star Observer it was important for her to use her role in the public eye to help represent women and LGBTI people in the media.

“I think it’s very important to show a range of diverse people and stories in media. Australia has a very diverse population made up of many cultures, lifestyles and identities and it is fantastic that we are celebrating that,” she said.

“LGBT+ Australians, Indigenous Australians and people of colour are underrepresented on Australian screens and I think this ad is an important step in recognising diversity.

“I’m honoured to be a spokesperson for the LGBT+ community. I suppose I feel a certain responsibility to use my status as a performer and public identity to help other queer people and other women. I and particularly eager to be a part of addressing the issue of representation and opportunity in media.”

The ad wraps up with Das at a barbecue with lamb cooking on it and as he is about to serve to the crowd asks “so, who was here first” to which Aboriginal athletes Greg Inglis and Cathy Freeman reply “that’d be us”.

“Do you know what the best thing is about diversity?” Das asks.

“Everything. So let’s stop talking about it and get together over the meat that doesn’t discriminate.”